Rhode Island Patent of the Month – January 2024
Rhode Island-based biotechnology company, EpiVax, Inc., is working towards the development of computational immunology tools. The company’s technology screens for immunogenicity – the ability for an antigen to provoke an immune response in an individual. In support of this endeavor, the company has also developed regulatory T cell epitopes to support autoimmune therapeutics.
At the heart of this recently patented technology lies a method designed to induce regulatory T-cells, orchestrating a finely tuned symphony within the body’s immune system. The invention addresses a critical need in therapeutic approaches. Traditional methods often employed broad-based strategies, inadvertently weakening the entire immune system. EpiVax’s creation, however, offers a more targeted and less aggressive approach to immune tolerance induction.
EpiVax’s method involves administering a carefully calibrated T-cell epitope composition comprising isolated T-cell epitope polypeptides. The selective engagement and activation of pre-existing natural Treg through the use of Tregitopes and Tregitope-antigen fusions, is therapeutically valuable as a means of treatment for any disease or condition marked by the presence of an unwanted immune response. By dampening these unwanted immune responses, the body has a better chance at fighting conditions – like allergies.
What sets this invention apart is its versatility. The T-cell epitope composition can be tailored to include additional elements, such as antigens and allergens, broadening its applications across various medical scenarios. The method can suppress effector T-cell responses, cytokine secretions, helper T-cell responses, and even B-cell responses.
This innovation’s potential applications span a vast array of medical conditions, from autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes to transplant-related disorders, allergies, and even immune responses to infections. By harnessing the natural regulatory capabilities of T-cells, particularly pre-existing natural TReg, the invention opens avenues for tailored and effective treatments.
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